[DNFSB LETTER HEAD]
January 29, 2008
The Honorable Samuel W. Bodman
Secretary of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20585-1000
Dear Secretary Bodman:
On January 29, 2008, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (Board), in accordance
with 42 U.S.C. § 2286a(a) (5), unanimously approved Recommendation 2008-1, Safety
Classification of Fire Protection Systems, which is enclosed for your consideration. This
Recommendation identifies the need for standards applicable to the design and operation of fire
protection systems being relied upon as a primary means of protecting the public and workers
from radiological hazards at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) defense nuclear facilities.
Multiple projects in the past eight years have used fire suppression systems as part of the primary
means for radiological hazard protection. All would have benefitted from the availabi1ity of such
guidance.
After you have received this Recommendation and as required by 42 U.S.C. § 2286d(a),
the Board will promptly make it available to the public. The Board believes that this
Recommendation contains no information that is classified or otherwise restricted. To the extent
that this Recommendation does not include information restricted by DOE under the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2161-2168, as amended, please arrange to have it placed
promptly on file in your regional public reading rooms. The Board will also publish this
Recommendation in the Federal Register. The Board will evaluate DOE’s response to this
Recommendation in accordance with the Board’s Policy Statement 1, Criteria for Judging the
Adequacy of DOE Responses and Implementation Plans for DNFSB Recommendations.
Sincerely,
A. J. Eggenberger
Chairman
c: Mr. Mark B. Whitaker, Jr.